A small pastry shop nudged between two taller buildings. The triple jagged arched roof with no lettering on the storefront. The tall buildings overshadowed the building, giving it no sunlight whatsoever. There didn’t seem to be anyone going inside as well, but the smell told us it was clearly open and cookin’.

If it wasn't for that smell encapsulating us, we would never have found such a tiny shop. We pushed open the pink doors.

“What the…” Leah said in awe, strolling into the unexpectedly huge room.

Cupcakes were flying from shelf to shelf. A variety of pastries being shuffled around and jumping from basket to basket. Squirts of frosting, firing into the air and being caught across the room by an opened piece of bread. The newly made pastry then wrapped itself into cute plastic ribbons before hopping into a small bag.

“Hold out your arms!” yelled a female voice.

Leah and I held out our arms in compliance and the two paper bags whipped into our hands. We clutched onto the bag and looked at each other to let out a small laugh. Leah caught herself and immediately looked forward again.

Ahh, this will be harder than I presumed it to be.

“Consider those samples before you browse our collection.” said the same voice.

The woman floated down in her puffed-up, frilly dress and floral hat. Her dress matched the pink decor of the room. The white frost like accents lining the wall, look very similar to the lining of her dress.

“Welcome to the Coral Glaze.” she waved her wand with the star end, a table flying from behind her and positioning itself between us. Next a white cloth flew and draped itself over the table.

“This is a lot of hospitality for two strangers.” Leah said, pinching the sides of my pants under the table.

I looked at her and she gave me a sweet smile.

Is this her way of flirting?

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Ah, my heart trembles from her gaze.

“I agree with my rose, the welcome was gracious enough.

“Nonsense, due to our current… situation, not many find themselves strolling into a bakery as obscure as this.”

I reached into the bag and pulled out the piece of bread, taking a bite out of the sweet flavor that accompanied it. Contrast to how it looked, the bread melted upon touching my tongue. Mm, this place was the right choice after all. The enjoyment must’ve shown on my face because Leah followed suit right after.

“Wow! This is really good!” Leah exclaimed, swaying her body side to side.

“Well, they are certainly missing out.” I managed to say through chewing.

“Maybe, but it may be a good thing. Considering if we were ever found out, our supply would run drastically low.” She tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table with her long colorful nails.

“Supply?” questioned Leah after wiping the crumbs off her mouth.

The lady flexed her wrist upwards and I felt a surge of energy flow through me. It felt like my mana flow speed had increased ten-fold throughout my body. I finished the rest of the pastry then put both my arms in front of me.

“What is this?” I said in awe, clenching and unclenching my hands into a fist.

I turned to Leah who started to… glow? A red aura coating her body, pulsing until reaching an intense glow.

“These deserts are infused with magical formulae. One bite and you might find yourself with increased mana quality. I call it Mana Deserts.”

“This doesn’t seem real.” I said after another bite.

“Well, why not give it a try?” she chuckled.

The lady waved her wand behind her and the shelves along with tables retracted through the surface. The walls and second floor grew a dense blue barrier and before we knew it, the hardwood floor was just a giant empty square.

“Why not, I have been excited to take back my pride.” Leah said, putting a fist to her.

“Oh, I would rather not hurt my future spouse.” I said, twirling to my feet and getting down to one knee, “But, if you insist then I must oblige. It would be insulting not to honor the wishes of my rose.”

“Quit with your rubbish and let’s get on with it!” Leah blasted her flames onto the ground and she flew into the air like a rocket, landing on the far end of the arena.

“A new trick? Cute.” I mumbled, walking over to my side of the arena.

She stretched her arms and legs, twisting her hips around. She really is pumped up, isn’t she? Haha.

“Just know, I won’t be going easy on you.” she boasted.

“And me to you as well.” I conjured three roses into my hand and threw them into the air.

“Begin!”